Clearcoat for Trains

For years I used Testors products (Dullcote, Glosscote, etc) but recently I've changed to using Humbrol acrylic and am very happy with the results.  Very easy to get a smooth coat from the spray can, dries quickly, and good compatibility.

49Lionel posted:

For years I used Testors products (Dullcote, Glosscote, etc) but recently I've changed to.........

Rustoleum Clear Matte

If you are doing any decal work, yes, you need the clear coat to 1.) protect the decal, 2.) to hide the decal edges.

But if you are talking about factory-painted models from Lionel, MTH and Atlas, there are no decals on them. It’s all paint and pad-printed decor, so a clear coat is unnecessary, in that regard.

If you go the rattle-can spray route, spray a coating on something expendable first, and see if you like the results.  I sprayed some Rust-Oleum 2X (may be a different formula than MWB suggests) Ultra Cover matte clear on a box car roof to tone it down a bit, and did NOT like the results.  It seemed to spray on just fine, but when dry it looked like it had merely spattered on and didn't flow out to a smooth, matte finish.

Future Floor Wax, or whatever they call it this week.  Used on the models you see in the Smithsonian.  I often apply with a Q-Tip.

Jim R. posted:

But if you are talking about factory-painted models from Lionel, MTH and Atlas, there are no decals on them. It’s all paint and pad-printed decor, so a clear coat is unnecessary, in that regard.

The decal is on the nose of the F3, and they are prone to cracking. Neither of mine have that yet.

I have used Tamiya clear coat on my RC models and its great stuff!